Abstract 3628: Associations between per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and inflammatory markers in a racially diverse cohort of breast cancer patients

Background: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental pollutants known for their resistance to degradation and their potential to accumulate in biological systems. These compounds have been associated with various adverse health effects, including promoting cancer progression. Aim: This study aimed to examine the associations between plasma PFAS levels and inflammation-related proteins identified through targeted proteomics in a racially diverse cohort of menopausal women and breast cancer patients. Methods: Three PFAS compounds—perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS)—were quantified in plasma samples from both cancer-free individuals and breast cancer patients using targeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Results: We found higher levels of PFBS in African American patients with breast cancer compared to Non-Hispanic White patients. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed marginal differences in PFAS levels between racial groups for PFBS (p=0.056p) with no significant differences for PFOA or PFOS (p>0.05). Logistic regression models showed no significant associations between normalized PFAS levels (PFOA, PFOS, and PFBS) and health outcomes (tumor grade or status) in the overall cohort or within racial subgroups. Lastly, Among African American patients, PFBS levels were strongly associated with inflammatory and cancer-related markers including CASP8, CCL3, MMP10 and TRANCE, which are implicated in immune regulation tissue remodeling and cancer progression. These findings highlight the potential role of PFAS in contributing to inflammation and cancer progression, particularly among African American breast cancer patients, emphasizing the need for further research on PFAS exposure and its impact on cancer disparities. Citation Format: Alicia Arredondo Eve, Ashlie Santaliz Casiano, Haihley Connors, Oana Danciu, Garth Rauscher, Natalie Pulliam, Elona Liko-Hazizi, Sarah Friedewald, Seema Khan, Julie Kim, William Gradishar, Kent Hoskins, Zeynep Madak-Erdogan. Associations between per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and inflammatory markers in a racially diverse cohort of breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 3628.